The Australian Government today reaffirmed its commitment to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health as a priority.

Acknowledging Reconciliation Week, Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash today announced that an implementation plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan would be developed by the end of the year.

“The Government has reinforced its commitment to close the gap and achieve health equality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians,” Minister Nash said.

The Health Plan is a 10-year evidence-based framework developed with significant input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders and service providers. The Health Plan is designed to guide policy and programme development to improve Indigenous health and achieve health equality by 2031.

Minister Nash advised that the Health Plan would be updated to reflect the Government’s approach and priorities for Indigenous affairs, to recognise the important links between education, employment, community safety and health.

“The Health Plan provides a useful framework and it is only through targeted and strategic action on the ground that real changes and improvements in the delivery of services and health outcomes can be realised.”

Minister Nash said she recognised the important work that had gone into developing the Health Plan and thanked the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, stakeholders, peak groups, and representative organisations who contributed to the framework.

“The implementation plan will outline the Commonwealth’s blueprint for coordinated efforts to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes. We will work in partnership with service providers, including States and Territories and stakeholders.”

“We will be developing a targeted, on the ground implementation plan in order to translate good intentions into action.”

The implementation plan will be developed and released by the end of the year.